Basic daily makeup - quick/easy/light

**Amaunet** · January 27th, 2013, 09:10 PM

So... I'm back at work on Tuesday after a year of mat leave and I feel like I'm starting to look OLD! Consequently, I need to start wearing some light makeup to help disguise the ravages of time!

I only ever wear makeup on special occasions and need some advice on a quick and easy makeup routine that'll look good.

I have a mineral powder (it's so messy though) and was thinking maybe a lip gloss and clear mascara (I hate panda eyes and dark mascara residue) blush? Whatever I wear will need to go I in <5 minutes and wash off in the shower.

Any advice or ideas?

**Amaunet** · January 27th, 2013, 09:11 PM

Oh, I'm a teacher, so not corporate but I dress in suit style skirts/pants and blouses etc

**Joeve** · January 27th, 2013, 09:26 PM

Is it a loose mineral powder? Pressed are less messy. Try that a little blush, mascara and gloss and you are done. If you are not confident with blush you can use bronzed powder on your cheeks

**Ladylove** · January 27th, 2013, 09:35 PM

Would you consider getting your lashes tinted? Then the nice definition of mascara but no smudges. Or try a tubing mascara - washes off with water but the way the mascara works (coats around each lash like a tube) means it won't smudge. Loreal Beauty Tubes is one, and Blinc and Becca do them too.

Re lips, sure go a gloss. Or you could try a tinted balm- like something from Korres or Burt's Bees. They both do nice natural options. You can also dab a bit of colour onto your cheeks as a cream blush.

There are a few liquid mineral foundations out there if you get annoyed by the powder one. Like Inika, Jane Iredale or Nude by Nature. Or you could go a tinted moist/tinted sunscreen, I like Invisible Zinc, Nars (pricey but great) or Laura Mercier. Not sure how natural you like your products to be- the latter two have some chemical sunscreens, the IZ is just zinc as the sunscreen.

**toomanyshoes** · January 27th, 2013, 09:42 PM

I would get brows and lashes tinted, use a BB cream, cream blush (much easier than powder and a more natural finish) and finish with a lip gloss!

**Amaunet** · January 28th, 2013, 07:06 AM

My lashes and brow are super dark anyway and tinting has never been noticeable. But I like the definition/ appearance of mascara.

I might look at a pressed mineral powder as I find even a tinted moisturiser too thick/heavy but I like the appearance / coverage of the powder finish. Anyone recommend a good one?

What does a BB cream do? Is it "thick" I hate foundation and how it looks and feels

Thanks everyone

**Babyluv** · January 28th, 2013, 07:16 AM

Thin lizzy works well for a light coverage and then you can just use it a little more heavily on your cheeks for a blush. Burts bees pomegranate lip balm is a nice natural tint.

**toomanyshoes** · January 28th, 2013, 07:16 AM

nothing like foundation, more so a tinted moisturizer

"BB cream is promoted as an all-in-one facial cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sunblock"

Garnier make one you can get at the super market, Big W etc, it comes in 3 different shades and either the normal one or an oil free one. Its what I use when I'm in a hurry. Its a reasonable price as well.

**Rivlas** · January 28th, 2013, 07:32 AM

For the last few years i have been using a tinted moisturiser and the one I am using at the moment is Nivea Be beautiful which I find feels lovely on my skin and has sunblock.
It takes me less than 3 minutes to put on and what is left over at the end of the day comes of in the shower.
I like it as it's a moisturiser and a cover in one
I hardly wear makeup as I hate the clogged feel on my skin.

**Sopdet** · January 28th, 2013, 08:58 AM

I use mascara, eye shadow, eye liner and lip gloss for day wear to work. If I have to use a bit of cover I use a tinted moisturiser without sunscreen.

**Amaunet** · January 28th, 2013, 09:23 AM

I bought the Garnier BB cream at Coles this morning and a cheapie Covergirl pressed mineral powder. I'll give them both a try and if I'm liking the pressed powder I'll upgrade to a better one!

Where do I get the Burt's Bees lip balms?

Thanks for all the advice!

**AnyDream** · January 28th, 2013, 09:57 AM

I'm going to jump in here because this is something I've been wondering about. I've thought about the BB cream style of things but even the lightest shade seems a bit too tanned/dark for my skin. Can anyone advise about how you find the best colour that you need? And if I need lighter than the lightest shade, isn't makeup just going to make me look a bit like a poor-effort goth?

(Not that there's anything wrong with rocking the blacks, I just don't have a wardrobe full of punk victoriana LOL).

Also - the few times I've tried a makeup/tinted moisturiser/whatever, I run into problems because it seems to collect in every tiny flake of dry skin/acne that I have. Does anyone else have this problem and how do you deal with it?

**toomanyshoes** · January 28th, 2013, 10:13 AM

Maydean mecca cosmetica and adore beauty sell BB creams in a wider colour range but they are more expensive than the supermarket ones.

Even with very light skin you shouldn't be looking "white", I would say that if you are you it isn't a very good product.

If your skin is very flakey you need to be exfoliating, I use a gentle daily one whenever I'm going to use make up but also a "heavier duty" one 2-3 times a week.

**toomanyshoes** · January 28th, 2013, 10:17 AM

I bought the Garnier BB cream at Coles this morning and a cheapie Covergirl pressed mineral powder. I'll give them both a try and if I'm liking the pressed powder I'll upgrade to a better one!

Where do I get the Burt's Bees lip balms?

Thanks for all the advice!

Usually chemists, the big one outside coles at erina use to have them

**Ladylove** · January 28th, 2013, 10:25 AM

Marydean I've got fair skin and the Loreal BB cream is light enough on me. It's a colour adjust one. It's quite matte, which is good if you like a matte finish, but I prefer something more satiny. But other than that a good product for the price.

The Biotherm BB cream is pretty light too.

FYI Natio have a nice looking mineral range too now, I've not tried it though.

**Astrid** · January 28th, 2013, 11:21 AM

I have gone across to using Natio after using Nutrimetics for years. I find the BB cream does settle in. Initially it looks much, it just needs a moment.
Some days I use the BB cream first, then a light brush over with the mineral powder. Other days, I use a light foundation.
If you can find a decent chemist that sells Natio, the assistant should be able to help you with colour matching.

**Cassius2** · January 28th, 2013, 01:23 PM

BB cream is my best friend

**Netix** · January 28th, 2013, 03:17 PM

For 'quick' makeup for me, I use a tinted moisturiser (Dove, with spf, I quite like it), eyeliner pencil on upper eyelids (I use a glittery one, even for everyday wear), and a lipstick or tinted balm. When I go down the street, I will brush over a pressed powder (I like covergirl). I bought a manicare brand retractable (natural bristle) powder brush, so that and the powder live in my handbag, quite handy. Someone on here told me to use a brush for pressed powder so whatever cream/lotion is on your face doesn't just get 'pulled' or smudged around. I also like the pressed powder, because it's not messy like loose powder.

Yay for going back to work!